Press Releases

New Orleans, LA - The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) closely monitors significant weather events when forecasted. As inclement weather is anticipated, SWBNO’s focus is to ensure that we have the power capacity, personnel, and operational strategies to manage the anticipated weather conditions.

As part of our pre-storm preparations, our Operations team began lowering canal levels to increase stormwater storage. We also enhanced staffing levels to ensure all teams are coordinated and equipped to respond quickly to any unforeseen issues.

We are communicating with our partners at the City of New Orleans, NOLA Ready, Entergy, the Levee District, and the National Weather Service to ensure a coordinated response. Our teams closely monitor the evolving weather conditions, and we encourage residents to remain weather aware. For real-time updates, follow our partners at @NWSNew Orleans and @NOLAReady on Twitter or text NOLAREADY to 77295.

Drainage Operations crews have been preparing for inclement weather and lowering drainage canal levels. These efforts will continue throughout the day.

Power Operations

• Turbine 5 is available.
• Turbine 4 is not available. 
• Turbine 6 is available if we have concerns about high wind potential, to provide a backup source of 60-hz power for critical operations. We also exercised key generators (including the EMDs) to ensure they are ready to run, if needed.
• We scheduled additional essential employees to work through this potential weather event until the weather conditions no longer affect our area.
• EMDs #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5 are in service.

We currently have 51.5 megawatts of 25-hertz power available to manage storm-related demands. At peak demand our system requires 44 megawatts of 25-hertz power. The drainage system remains robust, with 88 out of 93 drainage pumps operational and ready. Our drainage system is designed to pump one inch of rain during the first hour of rainfall, and an additional half inch of rain per hour thereafter. Any intense rainfall exceeding our capacity may cause street flooding.

For the full pumping and power statuses, please visit our Pumping and Power Dashboard: https://www.swbno.org/Projects/PumpingAndPower.

Emergency Hotline Available
Our Emergency Hotline remains staffed and available 24/7. Customers can report leaks and other water-related emergencies by calling 52-WATER. For storm drain assistance, please contact 311.

Stay Prepared and Weather Aware

Residents are advised to make sure their catch basins are cleared ahead of the rain. Leaves and trash can clog our drainage system, preventing rainwater from flowing through & increasing the chances of street flooding. Please report clogged/damaged catch basins and street flooding to 311 at Nola311.org.

We have been in active coordination with the Dept. of Public Works and New Orleans Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Continue to follow @NOLAReady for updates and alerts.

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